INCLUDE Project: Exploratory/Developmental Research Awards for Down syndrome (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Open
National Institutes of Health is offering grants of up to $200,000 to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expects to make about 5 awards worth $1.0 million in total. Applications close on June 15, 2028.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed May 12, 2026. Checked October 31, 2026.
- Award ceiling$200,000
- Award floornot stated
- Expected awards5
- Total funding$1.0 million
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | May 12, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | June 15, 2028 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | August 14, 2028 |
Add the deadline to your calendar
Who can apply
This opportunity is open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility. Foreign Organizations/International Collaborations:Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.
Is this a realistic fit?
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The NIH INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE (INCLUDE) Project seeks to improve health and quality-of-life for individuals with Down syndrome. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites researchers to submit applications for support of new exploratory and developmental research projects that address critical needs for Down syndrome projects, as articulated in the INCLUDE Project objectives. For example, such projects could assess the feasibility of a novel area of investigation or a new experimental system that has the potential to enhance health-related research. Another example could include the unique and innovative use of an existing methodology to explore a new scientific area. These studies may involve considerable risk but may lead to a breakthrough in a particular area, or to the development of novel techniques, agents, methodologies, models, or applications that could have a major impact on a field of biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research.
How to apply
- Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
- Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
- Register on Grants.gov and submit through Workspace before the deadline and time given in the notice. Our application guide walks through each step.
Questions go to National Institutes of Health, DownSyndromeINCLUDE@mail.nih.gov, 301-402-2541.
Questions people ask
Who can apply for INCLUDE Project: Exploratory/Developmental Research Awards for Down syndrome (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
National Institutes of Health accepts applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for INCLUDE Project: Exploratory/Developmental Research Awards for Down syndrome (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?
Closes June 15, 2028 (593 days left). Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $200,000 each. About $1.0 million in total across about 5 awards.
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